Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (rated 5 stars)
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
by J. K. Rowling
Aaaaaaah.
I sat up til late last night savoring every word and nuance of the final Potter book. I had put off reading it forever, knowing that after I was done… I was done.
It didn’t disappoint.
In fact, the final tale to the Potter epic was remarkably deep and powerful in themes of love, redemption, sacrifice, family, friendship and learning the purpose in life.
I had skimmed the book Looking for God in Harry Potter and was impressed by the intricate weaving of classic literary themes and Christian elements into the Potter series. In that book, the author unashamedly recommends the Potter series for reading by all.
I would echo that sentiment. In Potter, as in other tales of fantasy and epic literature, there are themes as grand as the imagination can bear.
In particular, however, I was struck by J.K. Rowling’s use of biblical themes from Jesus’ life. In one instance, Harry and friends find the inscription, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also” (Matthew 6.21) on Dumbledore’s parents’ grave.
In another instance, 1 Corinthians 15.26 is inscribed, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
While reference is not made to the source of these two verses, they remain true in our reality – as well as in Potter’s. I was fascinated and even moved by the final chapters of the epic as Potter willingly moves toward his destiny. (I’ll skirt that here for those of you who haven’t read it.) A great discussion guide of Christian thematic elements is here.
As I closed the final page, I did so with warm reluctance. It had been a deep and fantastical journey since I read the first book back in 1997. Another grand literary epic was brought to a more than fitting conclusion.
Bravo, J.K.
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January 29th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Good review.
Alan Gable’s last blog post..Zechariah
January 29th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I’ve been tutoring for the past couple months and, without fail, every young person I meet has read, likes, and will discuss Harry Potter at length, even with an older person (me). Before I finished The Deathly Hallows, one of my students had read it twice! Certainly, the books have a lasting literary power: they relate to young people. I too am sad that Harry is over. The story ended beautifully.
I’m wondering, though, how Dumbledore’s “gayness” figures into any supposed Christian themes. Also, what is the official Christian word on Snape? He seems to follow some of the new takes on Judas as a secret co-conspirator rather than an evil traitor. Oh, the books that could be written…
Mark W.’s last blog post..A Ghost of a Response
January 29th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Mark,
Hadn’t heard the bit about Dumbledore until my mom related to me what Rowling had said. I honestly can’t see it… ;) And here I am always hammering to people about meaning being in the author’s intent.
I’m obviously extremely disappointed with her statements, and I need to go reference them for myself.
As far as Snape/Judas… well, the biblical analogy is not one that I think
Rowling really intended to perpetuate throughout the book. The themes are there, for sure, but not the overall plot and message of Christianity.
Thanks for the great comments!